1 Stakeholders involvement in BDP

2 ContentsContents MRC & Public Participation History, Policy and Strategy BDP & Stakeholder Involvement – Stakeholders: types and roles in BDP – Stakeholder Forums in BDP: what for?, when ?, how many?

3 MRC & Public Participation 1996 JC agreed to commission study PP ( TDRI 1997) 1999 JC endorse MRC PP Policy Annual Report 2000 admitted “MRC has little experience” in this field, but see it as important that decisions must include bottom up process, thus need to accelerate PP in its work Rosenbaum in depth study, result discussed in MRC regional workshop early 2002 Late 2002, MRC Public Participation finalized

4 MRC Public Participation strategy Public Participation: “ Public participation is a process through which key stakeholders gain influence / take part in decision making in planning, implementing, M&E of MRC Program& Projects” Stakeholders Stakeholders : any person, group or institution that has an interest in an MRC activity, project or program

5 MRC Public Participation Strategy Rationale for public participation Better outcomes: Better outcomes: quality of decision making improved by inclusion of stakeholders who contribute important knowledge and relevant views Sustainable process: Sustainable process: building a stronger consensus and sense of “ownership” in support of decisions It is widely recognized in water resource management that an increasing level of participation can enhance decision-making, e.g., Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the Dublin Principles

6 MRC Public Participation Strategy To start, the major components of the draft Strategy include: Enhancing consultation with the MRC network Engaging civil society Institutionalizing public participation in the MRC

7 BDP & PP PP is one of the 3 core in interwoven process – Planning – Capacity / knowledge building – Stakeholders consultation

8 BDP & Stakeholder Participation: Purpose Increase understanding of MK resources, their limits & interconnection  a better articulation of future uses/management by all parties/ groups Enhance understanding  integration of needs/ concern of people / groups affected by the development of water resources of the basin Broaden discussion -  identification of more issues opportunity /constraints Validate/ challenge  revision of information presented in the preliminary analysis.

9 BDP Stakeholders Internal SHD: – MRC family & BDP Entities: CC, JC,MRCS, NMC, NMCS, BDP Unit, NWG,SAWG, and key line agencies External SHD: Individual or groups who have interest & rights to participate in MRB development – contribute knowledge, voice opinions & learn. Those who may be affected by BDP activities – CSOs, Private sector, Policy Research Institute, Universities, Research & advocacy network, individual w/ relevant knowledge, media

10 Roles of Stakeholders Internal SHD: organizing/overseeing the planning process. “backroom work”. Ensuring background technical work, all prep. works to achieve preliminary result to before bringing to forum, ensure eternal stakeholders are given full opportunity to participate External SHD: Identify key issues for consideration. Their view, needs, priorities are important in defining mgt objectives, criteria for development Project/ Programs. Verify & improve quality of ISHD decision – Each stage of planning –important to review progress/ feed back from ExSHD

11 WORKING PAPERS ON PP IN BDP BDP PP working paper = 2 papers – Paper 1 suggests scope of SHD involvement, number of Forum to to be held, purposes, examples of SHD to join – Paper 3 is a guideline for SubArea Forum 1

12 Forums: A major way of involving external SHD Forums proposed at 3 levels Internal SHD is responsible for Preparing background – sector/cross cutting theme info. for discussion at all forum – Subarea Forum ( SAF) 2 – Country Forum ( CF) 1 – Basin forum ( BF) 2 ** Min. 1 Cross Border SAF

13 10 sub-areas 2 – 4 sub-areas in each country to reflect regional diversity - formulate regional strategies for water resources development, taking account of local issues Identify main development needs and options likely impacts of development – positive and negative – trans-boundary – social, economic and environmental

14 SAF 1 & 2 SAF 1 ( planning stage 1) guideline provided Objectives: a) establish participatory planning process w/ ExSHD b) ID key issues & priorities of SA 3) Info gap SAF 2: ( Planning stage 2- 4 ) Objectives: will take the process further forwards, details scenarios, broad development options, dvpt programme /projects

15 Cross border Forum Subarea 7 ( C-L-V), 6, and 10 Include representatives from each country Care needed to ensure is participatory & benefitcial Constructive facilitation essential Sharing views and needs of each local as part of Sa

16 Country Forum 1 To gain an overall picture of basin parts in the country & collective view of local VS national stakeholders Harmonize local view on their requirements –with national development planning Result will be inputs to BF

17 BASIN Forum ( BF) To critique sectoral/ thematic analysis prepared by Internal SHD, feedback & improve Examine extent SA and national issues/priorities mesh with additional basin issues Opportunities for exchange of between SA, - at technical level & view/ priorities regarding dvpt options. Shared nature of Mk resources will be the highlight for debate. Will contribute to MORE informed political decision making BF ensure that whole system of perspective of the Mekong Basin is better understood

18More?More? Can be found in PP paper 1 Meaningful PP- we must – Id & analyze your SHD to be involved at which stage – Prepare well before forum – simplified material given before hand, presentation appropriate to level, objective, questions clear – Credible, neutral, professional FACILITATOR A MUST *** MRCS discussion session with each NWG on PP 1 will be most useful start !!